UWM Undergraduate Catalog 2009-2010

College of Letters and Science

Journalism and Media Communication

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  • College of Letters and Science
  • Journalism and Media Communication

• Requirements for Admission to the Major
• Course of Study: Major
• Course of Study: Minor
• Courses: Journalism and Media Communication
• Faculty and Staff

The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication offers a major or minor in journalism and media communication that emphasizes the study of the social implications and responsibilities of the mass media, an understanding of the processes of communication, and a fundamental knowledge of media communication techniques and procedures. The program provides students with a broad background in the liberal arts and sciences, which are vital aspects of contemporary life and essential to those entering careers in media communication.

Criteria and Procedures for Admission to the Major or Minor

1. Applications for admission to the JMC major and minor are received by the JMC office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. from the third Monday through the fifth Friday of the fall and spring semesters. Applications mailed and postmarked by 4 p.m. on the fifth Friday of a semester also will be accepted.

2. Students are eligible to apply if they meet all of the following criteria:

a. They have at least 24 credits on the transcript, excluding CLEP credits and retroactive foreign-language credits. These 24 credits must include at least 12 credits taken in residence at UWM unless the applicant has completed a bachelor's degree and is seeking an additional major or degree.

b. They have passed the required JMC major core courses (JMC 101 and 201).

3. Applicants are required to submit:

a. a completed application form containing contact information (phone number, UWM e-mail address, and mailing address) and indicating the minor or intended sub-major/concentration in the major;

b. a current UWM transcript [official or unofficial];

c. a current resume; and

d. a 500-word written statement outlining their academic interests; career goals; experience related to journalism, communication, media, or related areas; and any other factors they believe may be relevant to the decision about admission to the major or minor.

Course of Study: Major

A journalism and media communication major requires a minimum of 39 credits in journalism and media communication, including 24 or more credits in courses numbered 300 or above. In addition to JMC 101 and 201, which are required for admission to the major and which count toward the 39 required credits, all majors must complete JMC 661 (Seminar in Mass Communication and Society), which meets the L&S requirement for a research experience in the major, and JMC 559 (Law of Mass Communication). Majors also must complete the requirements of one of three concentrations (Journalism/Documentary, Media Studies, or Strategic Communication). Students must complete at least 15 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the major in residence at UWM. The College requires that students attain at least a 2.5 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.5 GPA on all major credits attempted, including transfer work.

CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Group A (Broadcast)

Group C (Documentary)

2. Media Studies

One Production course from among the following:

One Media Studies course from among the following:

3. Strategic Communication

Course of Study: Minor

Students must complete at least 9 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the minor in residence at UWM. The College requires that students attain at least a 2.5 GPA on all credits in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.5 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including transfer work. A minor in journalism and media communication consists of a minimum of 18 credits in journalism and media communication, at least 9 of them at the 300 level or above taken in residence at UWM, including:

Courses

Crosslisted Courses

The following courses offered by the Department of English may be used to fulfill curricular requirements of the undergraduate major or minor in journalism and media communication.

Related Course

The following course offered by the Department of English may be of interest to JMC students but may not be used to fulfill curricular requirements of the JMC major or minor.

Faculty and Staff

David S. Allen, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Minnesota

George A. Bailey, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

Paul Brewer, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D., Chair
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Becky Crowder, Senior Lect., M.A.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Jane Hampden Daley, Lect., M.S.J.
Columbia University

Earl S. Grow, Assoc. Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

Elana Levine, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Barbara Ley, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
University of California at Santa Cruz

Kay Magowan, Sr. Lect. Emerita, M.A.

Jessica McBride, Lect., M.A.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Michael Newman, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Joette Rockow, Sr. Lect., M.A.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Jeffery Smith, Prof., Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-Madison

K. E. Supriya, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Illinois

Marc Tasman, Lect., M.F.A.
The Ohio State University

Jing Zhang, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Illinois